Stay in Lorne & Win – Business Information

Published on 27 March 2026

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Help bring visitors to Lorne and increase local spending

Surf Coast Shire Council is running the Stay in Lorne & Win campaign to encourage visitors to book accommodation, stay longer, and spend more at local businesses during the quieter months.

The campaign gives visitors the chance to win Lorne Spend Cards when they stay overnight in Lorne and spend locally — helping drive bookings for accommodation providers and more customers for shops, cafés and attractions.

This initiative is funded through prize money donated by professional teams from the 2026 Cadel Evans Surf Coast Classic.

Visitors love an incentive. This campaign gives you a clear reason to promote Lorne, encourage longer stays, and remind visitors to shop and dine locally.

Sign your business up

You’ll need to provide basic business details (including your Merchant ID) and your EFTPOS information so you can accept the cards.

Look for your merchant ID:

  • On your EFTPOS terminal (often in the settings or printed on reports)
  • On your merchant statement from your bank or payment provider
  • In your online banking or payment portal (e.g. where you manage transactions)
  • On any setup paperwork or emails from when your EFTPOS was installed

If you’re unsure, your bank or payment provider will be able to quickly provide it.

How the campaign works (simple overview)

Visitors who

  • spend $150 or more on accommodation in Lorne
  • stay between 16 April and 26 June 2026

can enter the twice‑weekly prize draws to win Lorne Spend Cards.

Entries open on 9 April 2026.

More details

What are Lorne Spend Cards?

Lorne Spend Cards are prepaid cards that:

  • Can only be used at participating Lorne businesses
  • Work through your existing EFTPOS terminal
  • Are used just like a normal card (tap or swipe)

There is no cost for businesses to accept them.

 

For accommodation providers in Lorne

If your guests have spent $150 or more to book your Lorne accommodation between 16 April and 26 June, they can enter to win $200-500 spend cards to use while they are here.

Why get involved?

  • Gives visitors an extra reason to book and stay in Lorne
  • Encourages guests to spend more while they’re in town
  • Provides a value‑add you can promote to past and future guests
  • Supports the broader local visitor economy

What you can do

Accommodation providers are the key connection to overnight visitors.

You can help by:

  • Letting guests know about the campaign when they book or arrive
  • Including the campaign in confirmation emails or pre‑arrival info
  • Displaying posters at check‑in, reception or in rooms
  • Promote on social media

Council will provide ready‑to‑use promotional material to make this easy.

For local shops, cafes and attractions (Spend Partners)

Why become a Spend Partner?

  • Brings more customers through your door
  • Increases visitor spending in town
  • Part of a coordinated recovery campaign for Lorne
  • Free and easy to participate

What you need to do

  1. Register your business to accept Lorne Spend Cards
  2. Accept Lorne Spend Cards through your existing EFTPOS like any other card
  3. Let customers know about the campaign and welcome the extra spend

Support from Council

Businesses involved in the campaign will receive:

  • Ready‑to‑use email copy, social media posts and digital assets
  • Printed posters and a Spend Partner sticker before launch
  • Opportunities to be featured in campaign promotion

Key dates

  • Entries open: 9 April 2026
  • Stay period: 16 April – 26 June 2026
  • Prize draws: Every Thursday and Friday
     

Get involved

Whether you’re an accommodation provider or a local business, your participation helps:

  • Drive bookings
  • Increase local spending
  • Support Lorne’s recovery during the off‑peak season

Sign your business up

Questions: Call Surf Coast Shire Council on 5261 0600 or email business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au 

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